New B-double notice to deliver productivity benefits: NHVR

A new National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle B-double Notice will start on 1 February, delivering productivity benefits for the 19,000 B-doubles operating across Australia, according to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).

NHVR Freight and Supply Chain Productivity Executive Director, Peter Caprioli, said the new Notice would align B-double requirements across states and territories, including general access for 50-tonne, 19-metre vehicles, which are commonly used to transport fuel.

“The Notice has reduced the number of conditions imposed by jurisdictions and creates a national B-double network for vehicles which move almost half of all freight,” he said.

“This means an increase in mass for general access in South Australia from 42.5 tonnes to 50 tonnes, while general access in Tasmania will remain for 21-metre B-doubles.

“The Notice will align B-double access with a three-axle rigid truck towing a four axle trailer, which has had general access at 50 tonnes for several years.

“The new Notice also provides general access bridge formulae for all general access B-double operations,” he said.

The access conditions for a B-double are outlined in the National Class 2 B-double Operator’s Guide.

The current notice will be replaced on 1 February. The new Notice is part of the current round of the NHVR’s National Harmonisation Program which includes the National Class 1 Agricultural Notice and National Class 2 Road Train Notice.

The NHVR completed consultation on B-double access with state governments in mid-2018 and has reportedly received consent to operate on local road networks with a few exceptions.

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